UCL Mechanical Engineering’s Advanced Characterisation Laboratory for Materials & Manufacturing (ACLMM) brings together materials testing, materials characterisation and microscopy under one roof. Based in the sub-basement of Roberts Engineering Building, the combined facility is paired with a sample preparation room that offers chemical needs and provides a dedicated space for preparing samples prior to conducting tests and analysis.
Electron Microscopy and Imaging Suite
The recent introduction of the new Microscopy imaging suite brought in a range of equipment tailored for research and educational purposes.
The suite offers two Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) – the Gemini 360 and Evo 10, both equipped with unique additional features. For X-ray imaging, the Nikon Micro-CT is available, complemented by the CT Pro 3D software for reconstruction and Avizo for subsequent data post-processing.
Equipment:
ZEISS SEM Gemini 360
The ZEISS GeminiSEM 360 is a high-performance FE-SEM delivering 1 nm resolution and a wide beam energy range (0.5–30 kV). It excels in detailed surface topography, compositional analysis, and in-situ mechanical testing at micro scale with a Deben load stage, supporting advanced research across materials science, life sciences, and industrial applications.
Key Features
• Resolution: 0.7 nm at 15 kV, 1.0 nm at 1 kV
• Magnification: 8x – 2,000,000x
• EHT range: 20V – 30 kV
• Probe current: 3 pA – 20 nA
• Detectors: Inlens, SE, BSD, EsB, EBSD and EDX
• Deben in-site tensile and compression stage
ZEISS SEM EVO 10
The ZEISS EVO 10 SEM, featuring an environmental chamber and flexible HV, VP, and EP modes, enables imaging of hydrated samples, ideal for life sciences and material studies. With SE, C2DX, and HDBSD detectors and an optional Peltier stage for temperature control, it delivers nanometre-scale imaging versatility.
Key Features
• Resolution: 3 nm at 30 kV
• Magnification: 7x – 1,000,000x
• Probe current: 0.5 pA – 5μA
• Environmental chamber for hydrated samples
• HV, VP, and EP operating modes
• SE, C2DX, and HDBSD detectors
• Tungsten source with EHT range 1–30 kV
• Optional Peltier stage (-30°C to 50°C)
NIKON Micro-CT XT H 225
The Nikon XT H 225 ST is a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system for all-purpose high-resolution non-destructive 3D imaging. It provides a spatial resolution of 3 µm in transmission mode and accommodates larger samples (up to 50 cm and 50 kg). Operating at a maximum energy of 225 kV and 225W, the system allows for variable scanning times, from minutes to hours, with interchangeable targets for diverse imaging needs.
Key Features
• 225 kV (225 W) in reflection mode
• 180 kV (20 W) in transmission mode
• W, Cu, Ag, Mo target selection
• Al, Ag, Cu, Sn Filter selection
• Spatial resolution: 3 µm in transmission mode and 7 µm in reflection mode
• Scan time: minutes to hours
• Maximum sample stage load capacity: 50 kg
• Deben in-site tensile and compression stage: 500N and 5kN
• VGStudio and Avizo data analysis software
Leica EM ACE600 Sputter coater
The Leica EM ACE600 is a sputter coater used to apply thin gold coatings onto non-conductive samples, enhancing conductivity for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. It reduces charging effects, improving image resolution and contrast. Ideal for detailed imaging, it ensures uniform coating for high-quality SEM results across a range of sample types.
KEYENCE VHX-7000 3D Light microscope
The Keyence VHX-7000 digital microscope offers real-time high-resolution imaging with a CMOS sensor, supporting magnifications from 20x to 6000x. It features advanced 3D stitching for large-area imaging, enabling efficient assembly of detailed 3D images. Ideal for microstructural analysis, it also includes surface roughness analysis, enhancing versatility in materials and life science applications.
Material Characterisation and Structural Testing
DMA 850 – Dynamic Mechanical Analyser
The DMA studies the mechanical properties of materials in relation to temperature, time and frequency under dynamic conditions. Operating in temperatures within -160°C to 600°C, the DMA can measure forces as low as 0.1mN and achieve oscillation displacements as small as 5nm. Its versatility allows for conducting tests in different modes such as tension, compression, 3-point bend, and shear.
TGA SDT650 – Thermogravimetric Analyser
The TGA actively measures mass change in a sample to examine the thermal stability and behaviour of materials as a function of temperature or time. Temperatures can be controlled to either increase or be held isothermally between ambient temperatures to 1500°C.
DSC 3+ – Differential Scanning Calorimetry
The DSC is a thermal analytical method employed to quantify the heat flow into or out of a sample as a function of temperature or time. This technique is valuable for investigating the thermal transitions in materials, including glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallisation temperature (Tc) and melting temperature (Tm).Equipped with an Intracooler, it can cover a temperature spectrum from - 100 °C to 700 °C and can rapidly return to ambient temperatures.
FTIR/ATR Nicolet iS50 - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
The FTIR is a materials analysis technique used to study the molecular and chemical composition of substances by acquiring a spectrum across defined wavelength limits, most commonly through either transmittance or absorbance via the OMNIC software. The built-in ATR can support samples such as liquid, powder and solids.
INSTRON 5969 & 5985
Both models 5969 and 5985 have the capability to conduct static testing in tension, compression and flexural modes, with the option to integrate DIC (Digital Image Correlation) instruments or extensometers for strain analysis.
The Instron 5969 model supports loadcells of 500 N and 50 kN, while the 5985 model offers versatility with load capacities of 500 N, 10 kN and 250 kN. Additionally, the 5985 model comes equipped with a temperature-controlled furnace and a liquid nitrogen inlet for environmental testing.
Electropuls E3000
The Electropuls E3000, being our newest system, is designed for both dynamic and static testing in tension, compression and torsion, of load capacities up to 3 kN. With the full control of configurating the test parameters to cater the method to your experiments, this instrument is ideal for low load cyclic fatigue testing over millions of cycles.
Zwick Roell HIT Pendulum Impact tester 50J
The pendulum impact testing machine offers a quick and reliable way to perform Charpy and Izod testing on polymeric and hybrid samples of low impact toughness with high precision.
A selection of 5J, 25J and 50J impact pendulums for Charpy testing or a 22J impact pendulum for Izod testing can be switched over for your test requirements.
QATM QNESS Q60A+ EVO Micro Hardness Indenter
The Micro-Hardness equipment is a user-friendly piece of equipment that utilises a diamond-tipped indenter to perform destructive hardness tests and generate hardness data effortlessly with a simple button click. A force of 0.25kg to 62.5kg can be applied through the tip. The automated functionality allows the tool to quickly switch to the magnified lens for imaging the indented surface for further processing of the acquired data.
BMF microArch S230A
The microArch S230A uses projection micro-stereolithography (PµSL) and UV-LED curing resin to deliver ultra-fine features, offering 2 µm XY optical resolution and Z-layer thicknesses from 5 to 20 µm.
Its compact 50 × 50 × 50 mm build area prioritises precision over scale, making it well suited to intricate parts rather than large components.
The automated layer levelling and laser calibration deliver consistent, repeatable accuracy, and while broader resin support is forthcoming, high-performance options such as HTL already enable production of functional parts for microfluidics, medical devices, electronics, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems and other precision-driven applications.
More Equipment:
- Grinding and polishing
- Hot and cold mounting
- Chemical and biological fume hoods
Precision cutting machine - Ball mill
- Laser cutter
- Liquid nitrogen supply
Contact us at:
ACLMM Mechanical Engineering
Roberts Building (Level -2 Room LB7)
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE
Email: mecheng.acl@ucl.ac.uk
